Window-balance.



J. B. WALSER. WINDOW BALANCE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1914,

1,131,097, Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

j ad; 3\7 7 I f M i /f 7 v 2 -45 I 2 /Z li /a, gal /5. f 5 u I /4 I Attorneys JoHN B. WALSER, or LEBANON, MISSOURI.

WIND OW-IBALANGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 31915.

Application filed May 15, 1914. Serial No. 838,789.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN B. WALSER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lebanon, in the county of Laclede and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful lVindow-Balance, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is a window balance, and one object of the present invention is to provide a device of this type including a casing which may be connected with the window frame without mortising or cutting away the frame, the casing being provided with spring actuating means whereby the sash may be balanced.

It is within the scope of the invention to provide mechanism for actuating and controlling the rotatable element with which a flexible member is assembled, the latter being connected with the sashr It is within the scope of the invention to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which thepresent invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, theinvention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of What is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing :Figure 1 shows in front elevation, a window frame to which the present invention has been applied; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the casing and attendant parts; Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the structure shown in-Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmental horizontal" section showing, a modified form of the invention; Fig. 6 is a cross section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective of the winding crank.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the frame of a window, the same comprising styles 1. Sashes 2 are mounted to slide in the frame 1, all as usual and well understood.

In carrying out the invention there 1s pro- 7 vided a casing denoted generally by the numoral 3, the same being a box-like structure open at the top only. Extended transversely other.

of one end wall and in the opposite end wall ofthe casing. The shafts 5 and 6 are pro vided with external, squared ends 7 adapted to receive a winding crank 37 which is shown in Fig. 7. Pivotedv to the casing 3 as shown at 9 are pawls 8 adapted to engage the squared ends of the shafts 5 and 6 to hold the same against rotation. A drum 1 1 is ,journaled for rotation on the shaft 5 and a drum 14 isjournaled for rotation on the short shaft 6.. Brake plateslO are provided,

each brake plate including a laterally extended foot 11 operatively connected with the bottom of the casing 3 by means of a screw 12. The brake plates 10 are provided'with openings which receive hubs 38 formed on the ends of the drums 14 and-14 Located within each drum 1% and 14 is a flat coiled spring 16, one end of whichis inserted into and held in a slot 15 formed in the corresponding shaft 5 or 6, the other end of each spring being secured as'indicated at 17 to the corresponding drum. Flexible elements 18 are trained around the drums 14 and 14 and are secured to the sashes 2.

The operation of the structure is as follows :The Winding crank 37 is mounted on the end 7 of the shaft 5 and the same is rotated, the pawl 8 of the shaft in question having been disengaged from the squared end 7 of the shaft, so as to make a rotation of the shaft possible. 'When the shaft 5 is rotated, the spring 16 is put under tension and after the required tension has been secured, the pawl 8 is engaged with the squared'end 7, as shown in Fig. 1. This operation may be carried out in connection with the shaft 6 for the obviouspurpose of controlling the tension of the spring 16 which is individual to the shaft 6. WVhen the sashes are lowered, the flexible elements 18 will be reeled off the appropriate drums and the springs 16 will be put under tension, the springs reacting to balance the sashes and to aid in lifting the sashes. In ordento adjust the operation of the device for sashes of difierent weights, the screws 12 are rotated, thus pulling the brake plates downwardly, or pushing them upwardly, the brake plates coacting withthe' hubs 38 on the drums 14 and. 14 to'impose a greater or less friction thereon.

In Figs. 5 and 6, a modified form of the invention shown, the casing being denoted by the numeral 19 and being provided with a removable end wall comprising the horizontally spaced portions 20 and 20 hereinbefore alluded to incidentally. Studs 21 are mounted respectively upon theportions 20 and 20 of the end wall, the studs 20 being held in place by means of securing elements 22 which-may be screws. Shafts 23 and. 24

are provided. The shaft 23 has fixed thereto a pulley 26 and. the shaft 24 has fixed thereto a pulley 25. Ball bearings 27 ma be used in connection with the studs 21 and the pulleys and 26 if desired. The ends of the shafts 23 and 2a are journaled for rotation in collars 28. Each collar 28 has a squared end 28 engaged by a pivoted pawl 28 of the sort hereinbefore described. Springs 30 are connected at their outer ends withthe collars 28, the inner ends of the springs 30 being connected with the pulleys 25 and 26, although it is obvious that 'if. de'' sired the springs 3,0;may be connected directly with the shafts 23. This is a mechani cal detail requiring neither extended description or specific illustration. 4 Each pullev 2526 is equipped with an outstanding hub 31 received in an opening 32 formed in-a brake plate 33 having a foot 34 controlled by a screw '35 in the manner herethereto.

inbefore set forth. Flexible elements 88 are connected with the peripheries of the pulleys 25 and 26, the flexible elements 38 be ing connected with the sashes as hereinbefore described.

The operation of the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6 needs no specific description in view of what has been stated hereinbefore in connection with that fermof the invention which appears in Fig. 2. It is to be noted, however, that in order to adjust the tension of the springs 30, the shafts 23 and 24 are not rotated, the desired tension being secured in the springs 30 by rotating the collars 28 through the medium of their squared ends 28 the crank 37 being applied Two casings 3 ordinarily are used and the same are secured in the upper angles of the window frame as shown in Fig. 1. No mortising or cutting of the frame therefore is necessary. Owing to the fact that the removable end wall of each casing is thickened, as shown most clearly in Fig. 5, this;

casing; a collar journaled in the casing and having a polygonal end; a pawl pivoted to the casing and adapted to engage the poly onal end of the collar; a shaft journaled at one end. in the collar and provided at its other end with. a pulley; means upon the casing for supporting the pulley for rotationfi a flexible element trained about the ing secured to move with the shaft and the pulley.

2. In a window balance, a casing; a ro- 'tatable element journaled in the casing and provided with a polygonal key receiving end; a movable locking device on the casing and adapted to engage directly with the polygonal, key receiving portion of the rotatable elemeutto hold the latter against rotation; a spring secured at one end to the rotatable element; a drum; means for con necting the drum with the other end of the spring; and a flexible sash-controlling member wound upon the drum.

3. In a device of the class described, a casing; a collar journaledin the casing; releasable means cooperating with the collar to hold the collar'against rotation; means for rotating the collar; a shaft journaled at one end in the collar and. provided at its other end with a pulley; means upon the casing forfsupporting the pulley for rotation; a flexible element trained aboutsthe pulley; and a spring secured at one end to the collar, the other end oi'the spring bepulley. I d

In testimony that I claim. the foregoing as my own I have hereto 'afiixed my signature in-the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. l VALSER.

ing secured to move with the shaft and the Witnesses:

J. W. Hose, CHAS. Huerrus. 

